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Martinek looks to build on productive first season

Joe Martinek is trying to build on a freshman campaign in which he averaged a team-best 5.3 yards-per-carry this spring. (HNT file photo)

PISCATAWAY — Joe Martinek took a handoff and ran into the line of scrimmage, gaining no more than a yard while being driven to the turf by a trio of defensive linemen.

For Martinek, who like the rest of the Rutgers football team spent the first three spring practices unable to administer or receive any contact, it felt like football again.

“”I love just throwing my body out there, and just doing everything I can to get that extra yard,” the 6-foot, 215-pound bruising tailback said following Thursday’s two-hour, rain-soaked practice.

Three months after his breakthrough campaign, Martinek feels like a much-improved running back, one who’s ready to carry a bigger load if that’s what is asked of him next season.

“”Having gotten that game experience, now I’m starting to be an upperclassman,” said Martinek, a rising sophomore in eligibility but a junior in class. “”Now I feel like there’s younger kids looking up to me to lead them.”

Martinek has spent the first four practices working with the first team offense, trying to improve on a rookie campaign in which he rushed for 404 yards and four touchdowns in only 76 carries.

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano, who earlier this spring said Martinek merits a longer look after leading all running backs with a 5.3 yards-per-carry average in 2008, likes what he sees from the Hopatcong High School product so far.

“”He looks good,” Schiano said. “”I’m anxious to see him as we get into scrimmages.”

Martinek, who’s competing with Jourdan Brooks for first-team reps, said footwork fundamentals have been his greatest emphasis this spring.

“”Just doing it so many times that it becomes instinct,” said Martinek, who admitedly has come a long way since last spring, when he was converting from safety back to his more natural tailback position.

“”My first couple of months here I was really clueless. The game was so fast, I didn’t know what was going on. A typical freshman comes in thinking they’re going to
play right away, but it’s a total change. Now I feel like I’m more comfortable with everything that’s going on.”

About Keith Sargeant

Keith Sargeant is a graduate of Middlesex County College and Kean University. A Home News Tribune staff writer since August 1997, Keith has been covering Rutgers sports since 2000, serving as the Scarlet Knights' football beat writer since 2006.

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About the Author

Jerry CarinoJerry Carino has covered sports for the Gannett New Jersey newspapers since 1996 and has been on the college basketball beat since 2003. A native of Old Bridge, he also teaches journalism at Kean University.E-mail Jerry

Josh NewmanJosh Newman has worked for the Press since September 2004 and began covering Shore Conference sports full time in September 2006. He is a 2004 graduate of Springfield College with a degree in communications/sports journalism.E-mail Josh

Ryan DunleavyRyan Dunleavy has covered Rutgers athletics for more than a decade, dating back to his days as a student at his alma mater. He became New Jersey Press Media’s Rutgers women’s basketball beat writer in 2009 and Rutgers football beat writer in 2013. Since joining the staff in 2004, the Morris County native also has covered the NFL, MLB, NBA, the Somerset Patriots and high school sports.E-mail Ryan